What's On?

26th to 28th October 2018

We have now finalised this year’s programme and are delighted to share news of the fantastic line-up for 2018.

Building on successes of previous years, the festival committee are pleased to kick things off in Tarbert Academy, with events tailored to children and young people according to their stage and curriculum.
Stuart Paterson BBC Scotland’s Poet in Residence will guide pupils through the mysteries of “guid auld” Scottish words and phrases.
Sandy the Seal will entertain younger ones with the help of Helen Cormack, author.

Saturday with the Stevensons October 28th October
To start the day, we will hear from Bella Bathurst, whose history The Lighthouse Stevensons won the 1999 Somerset Maugham Award. It is well- known know that Robert Louis Stevenson came from a family of lighthouse engineers but perhaps you don’t realise the incredible catalogue of their work. Over four generations, they built every lighthouse round Scotland, developing, as they went, inventions in both construction and optics to place buildings in the most dangerous conditions.

The non-fiction book of the year award shortlist includes Joseph Farrell’s Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa and Alan Taylor’s memoir of Muriel Spark, Appointment in Arezzo. Both these writers appear at our festival this year.

To whet your appetite for Struan Stevenson’s talk you will be able to purchase a “Taster Plate” featuring fine Scottish smoked mussels, pulled roast lamb and Cranachan. Please note “A Taste of Culloden” will only be available if pre ordered – though tea, coffee and other refreshments are available to purchase at the time. Tickets […]